Private foundation · EIN 36-7181333 · Lake Bluff, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Covington Charitable Tr

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 29 grants paid, $61K total, median $1,000. 48% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
29
$61K
Median grant
$1,000
Stays in IL
48%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.0M

Grants paid in 2025

29 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Lake Forest Open Lands AsscLake Forest, ILGeneral donation$5,000
Field MuseumChicago, ILGeneral donation$5,000
Conservation FundArlington, VAGeneral donation$5,000
Little Traverse ConservancyHarbor Springs, MIGeneral donation$5,000
Land Trust AllianceWashington, DCGeneral donation$5,000
Center for Biological DiversityTucson, AZGeneral donation$5,000
World Wildlife FederationWashington, DCGeneral donation$5,000
Wilderness SocietyWashington, DCGeneral donation$3,000
Brookfield ZooBrrokfield, ILGeneral donation$2,500
Les Cheneaux Community FdnCedarville, MIGeneral donation$2,500
Natural Resources Defense CouncilNew York, NYGeneral donation$2,500
African Wildlife FoundationWashington, DCGeneral donation$2,500
Illinois Environmental CouncilSpringfield, ILGeneral donation$2,500
The Wilderness SocietyWashington, DCGeneral donation$2,000
WttwChicago, ILGeneral donation$1,000
ScaArlington, VAGeneral donation$1,000
ScaArlington, VAGeneral donation$1,000
Society of Colonial WarsChicago, ILGeneral donation$1,000
WbezChicago, ILGeneral donation$1,000
American RiversWasahington, DCGeneral donation$1,000
Prairie State Conservation CoalitionSppringfield, ILGeneral donation$500
Redan FoundationLake Bluff, ILGeneral donation$500
Noahs RestZion, ILGeneral donation$500
Citadel TheatreLake Forest, ILGeneral donation$250
Anti Cruelty SocietyChicago, ILGeneral donation$250
Americans United for SeparationWashington, DCGeneral donation$250
Americans United for SeparationWashington, DCGeneral donation$250
Anti Cruelty SocietyChicago, ILGeneral donation$250
University Club FoundationChicago, ILGeneral donation$100

By state: Illinois 14 · District of Columbia 8 · Michigan 2 · Virginia 3 · Arizona 1 · New York 1

About this foundation

Covington Charitable Tr is a private grantmaking foundation in Lake Bluff, Illinois, administered in care of George M Covington, tax-exempt since 1997. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Covington Charitable Tr accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Covington Charitable Tr give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $61K across 29 grants, a median of $1,000.

Where does Covington Charitable Tr give?

Illinois (14 grants), District of Columbia (8 grants), Michigan (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Lake Bluff

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Gorter Family Foundationsince 1978 Lake Bluff, IL $3.2M1 grants · 2024 $3.2MPreselected only $34M
Crab Tree Farm Foundation Incsince 1996 Lake Bluff, IL $11K2 grants · 2025 $5,500Preselected only $28M
Lee Family Foundationsince 1999 Lake Bluff, IL $275K67 grants · 2025 $2,500Preselected only $7.1M
Malinski Family Foundationsince 2017 Lake Bluff, IL $305K19 grants · 2024 $5,000Preselected only $6.9M
Cretors Family Foundationsince 2016 Lake Bluff, IL $490K31 grants · 2024 $10KPreselected only $6.4M
Schroeder Foundationsince 1968 Lake Bluff, IL $339K2 grants · 2024 $170KPreselected only $5.5M
Ralph S Hoffman Foundationsince 2004 Lake Bluff, IL $154K12 grants · 2024 $10KPreselected only $2.7M
Terlato Family Foundationsince 2003 Lake Bluff, IL $23K6 grants · 2025 $1,000Preselected only $1.2M
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